Whether you are entering education for the first time as an adult or already work as a teacher and would like to add Special Education as part of your professional credentials, MVNU’s online Master of Arts in Education (Intervention Specialist) will provide Cincinnati adults with a pathway to Ohio licensure through online delivery.
The program is delivered 100% online. Although MVNU is located in Mount Vernon, Ohio, there are no in-person requirements. Therefore, you may continue to work, care for your family, and live your life as usual in Cincinnati while taking classes at your leisure.
About The MVNU Online Intervention Specialist Program
Both paths use MVNU’s cohort model; you’ll learn alongside a familiar group of fellow learners in a supportive environment, taught by faculty who have worked directly with this student population. When you’re finished, you will be licensed in Ohio and prepared to develop, implement, and evaluate individualized education plans for students in grades K-12.
Two Pathways To Ohio Intervention Specialist Licensure
MVNU offers two routes to becoming a licensed Intervention Specialist for Mild/Moderate Disabilities (K-12). Both result in a Master of Arts in Education and Ohio licensure as an Intervention Specialist, and the right path depends on whether you already hold a teaching license.
Initial License: Do Not Hold a Teaching License Yet
The initial license pathway is designed for adults in Cincinnati who have a bachelor’s degree but do not currently hold a teaching license. This path will prepare you for your first teaching license as an intervention specialist. All coursework is completed through online classes, with emphasis on fieldwork, and placement of you in a school setting to develop the experiences necessary to complete your licensure application. The program is approximately 27 months long and consists of 54 credit hours.
Visit the Intervention Specialist Initial License (M.A.Ed.) program page for more info on this pathway.
Advanced License: Already a Licensed Teacher
The advanced license pathway allows teachers currently holding an active teaching license with the State of Ohio to pursue intervention specialist certification through MVNU. This includes licensed Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Adolescent/Young Adult, and Multi-Age teachers, as well as educators with a temporary or alternative special education license. It can be completed in as little as 18 months across 30 credit hours, and if you already hold a master’s degree, you may transfer up to six credit hours.
Read the full details on the Intervention Specialist Advanced License (M.A.Ed.) program page.
Also, please be aware that MVNU’s Intervention Specialist program is designed to meet the state of Ohio licensing standards and does not guarantee reciprocity in other states.
Which Pathway Fits You?
In most cases, this decision will be fairly obvious. If you have no prior teaching license, then the initial licensing option should serve as your entry point. If you currently hold a valid teaching license in the state of Ohio, then the advanced licensure option would likely provide you with the best opportunity to achieve your degree requirements in a shorter amount of time. If you are unsure, an enrollment counselor and academic advisor can confirm the right fit based on your transcripts and credentials.
M.A. Ed ISM and ISP Degree Highlights
In preparing students to work as intervention specialists, both the ISM and ISP pathways are based on MVNU's cohort model. Students learn in a Christ-centered environment that prioritizes relationship building, and courses are taught by seasoned faculty members with years of experience as educators, administrators, and professionals who have worked directly with this unique student population.
By the program's completion, students in both the ISM and ISP pathways are eligible for Ohio licensure and will have developed the pedagogical skills needed to create curriculum, implement effective teaching strategies, and develop, implement, and evaluate Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students in grades K-12.
Curriculum stats/highlights
Initial License
Courses
| Core Courses | Credit Hours |
| General Teaching Methods | 2 |
| Inclusion Curricular Practices | 3 |
| Social Studies (Grades PK-5) | 4 |
| Math (Grades PK-5) | 4 |
| Science Curriculum (Grades PK-5) | 4 |
| Developmental Literacy Lab | 1 |
| Developmental Literacy | 3 |
| Basics of Phonics Instruction | 3 |
| Content Area Reading | 3 |
| Classroom Management | 4 |
| Unit Planning | 3 |
| EC/Integrated Field Experience | 2 |
| Intro to Multi-Cultural Education | 3 |
| Language Arts & Writing Methods | 2 |
| Urban/Diverse Field Experience | 2 |
| Upper Elementary Field Experience | 1 |
| Student Teaching/Seminar | 10 |
| Total Core Hours | 54 |
Advanced License
Courses
| Core Courses | Credit Hours |
| Introduction to Graduate Studies | 1 |
| School Leadership & Ethical Practice | 2 |
| Consultation, Collaboration, & Cooperative Practice | 2 |
| Multiculturalism in Education | 2 |
| Application of Student Outcome Data on Instructional Practice | 2 |
| Educator as Researcher | 3 |
| Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment for Exceptional Learners | 4 |
| Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment for Learners with Lower-Incidence Exceptionalities | 2 |
| Behavior Analysis & Learning Environments | 3 |
| Individualized Educational Planning for Exceptional Learners | 2 |
| Special Education Research & Writing | 2 |
| Advanced Practicum | 2 |
| Total Program Hours | 30 |
Get the Facts
Based on figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for special education teachers is predicted to remain steady between now and 2028.
15.7%
of Ohio students require IEPs
$60,660
Median Income
615
Ohio districts and 1,000 private schools require instructors to help with IEPs
+4%
Job Growth
Career Opportunities in Cincinnati for Intervention Specialists
This degree allows the individual to become an “Intervention Specialist,” which is Ohio’s term for a special education teacher, so this degree prepares graduates directly for the roles Cincinnati’s schools have in demand. The demand behind those roles is well established: special education is a long-standing, federally designated teacher shortage area in Ohio and remains a recognised high-need field.
Across Greater Cincinnati, that demand shows up in the public districts such as Cincinnati Public Schools, the surrounding Hamilton County suburbs, charter and community schools, and specialised special education programs. The skills you build also lead to opportunities beyond the traditional classroom, including student support and intervention roles, IEP coordination, and community-based services for children and youth with disabilities. With a graduate-level license, you are positioned for a career offering stability and mission-driven work that Cincinnati schools have long needed.
Steps for Applying to MVNU Online
Please have your transcripts sent to:
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Attn: College of Adult and Professional Studies Admissions
800 Martinsburg Road
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Official Electronic Transcripts should be sent to CAPSApplications@mvnu.edu.
*Additional materials may be required based on individual situations.
Fill out the FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov if you plan to use
Federal Student Aid.
MVNU Code: 007085
Once all transcripts have been submitted, you will receive an admission decision (typically within one week).
Review your admission decision with your Enrollment Counselor to understand transfer credits and program requirements..
After acceptance, you will receive a link to complete your registration agreement form. You will complete this form to reserve your spot in your intended start date.
We take care of all course scheduling for you — so that you can just jump into coursework stress-free! Once you are registered for classes, your financial aid counselor will reach out with your financial aid award and assist you with any financial aid questions.
We are excited to have you as a part of the MVNU community!
What Our Students Are Saying
“As an individual who was switching career paths, the MAED-PEL program was the perfect fit for me. It allows me to obtain a master’s degree and my initial teaching license (without needing to pursue a second bachelor’s degree).”
JENA BUSHONG '19
Master of Arts in Education Professional Educator’s License
"I debated so long regarding making the decision to go to school and get a degree at my age, however MVNU has made it one of the best decision I have made in my adult life."
MICHELLE BARNETT '26
Master of Business Administration
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you are ready to build a career supporting students with disabilities in Cincinnati, MVNU’s online Intervention Specialist M.A.Ed offers a flexible, supported path to Ohio licensure. Choose the pathway that matches your background and apply today.
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